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Harpa Concert Center – This structure is one of the most remarkable buildings in Reykjavik. In fact, the Harpa Concert Center has won awards for its unique, modern architecture. The exterior of the building consists of honeycombed glass panels that shimmer like miniature rainbows. As we previously mentioned, if you arrive before your scheduled embarkation time, Viking will take you to the Harpa center for check-in and breakfast. You may even have time to walk along the waterfront and begin getting acquainted with Reykjavik.
Herring Factory visit & Leisurely Hike
For example, Viking offers the option of booking your flights directly through Viking. Typically, their pricing is very competitive and they even offer free air fare on some cruises. Cruise Critic is not a booking agent and does not charge any service fees to users of our site. Rates are in USD and valid for US and Canadian residents only.
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But unlike the river ships, there are several other dining options on the ocean ships. The other main venue is the World Café, which is a buffet style restaurant. Due to the pandemic though, the World Café is no longer self-service.
Crystal Cruises in Iceland (well, reborn in 2023!)
National Geographic partners with Lindblad Expeditions to operate 3 cruises around Iceland every summer. You’ll be on either the National Geographic Explorer, which holds 148 passengers, or the National Geographic Resolution, which holds 126 passengers. Many of those stops in North Iceland would take you hours of driving to see; no other cruise is going to get you to the stunning Látrabjarg bird cliffs.
We even saw the traditional structures that Icelanders used to dry fish during the winter. After the tour we stopped at a small restaurant for coffee, some of the best we had on the trip. We then boarded our bus and journeyed through that amazing tunnel back to the ship.
Explore Akureyri and see volcanic moonscapes.
Despite Iceland lifting all COVID restrictions, Viking guests needed to wear masks on shore excursions as well. Access to the thermal suite is included in the cruise fare with Viking. In pre-COVID times, individuals could come and go as they pleased in the thermal suite. We were about to head to dinner when the ship signaled it was time for sail away. So, we grabbed our devices to capture our sail out of the harbor from our balcony. This meant we were about 25 minutes late for our “reservation”.
Over 100 Passengers Get Sick on Luxury Cruise Ship - Cruise Hive
Over 100 Passengers Get Sick on Luxury Cruise Ship.
Posted: Tue, 20 Jun 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Included Programs
However, many residents were displaced from their homes, some permanently. There was a lot of property destruction and it is all still quite visible. Still, the folks that we talked to seem to be resilient and eager to get their lives back to normal. Our first stop was the ‘blue church’ with a colorful walkway that reminded us of a mini version of the colorful Skolavordustigur Street in Reykjavik. Strolling up the street we passed colorful neighborhood houses and a small restaurant with outdoor seating. It was a little early in the day for a beer, so we continued exploring.
Day 6: Djúpivogur, Iceland
A woman dressed in traditional Icelandic clothing sang a number of folk songs. The acapella performance, enhanced by the special acoustics, was truly amazing. – Akureyri – Set at the end of the spectacular fjord, Eyjafjordur, sailing in to the beautiful city of Akureyri was another breathtaking visual experience. As Iceland’s second largest city, Akureyri is known as ‘The Capital of the North’. For the day’s excursion, we selected ‘Northern Iceland’s Natural Treasures’. This is another all-day, 7-hour excursion that takes in 4 more must-see spots.
From finding the right destination to choosing the best departure date, we're here to help. Plus, our experienced travel consultants have access to exclusive vacation deals to make sure you get the best value for your time and money. This is the least expensive option, for one of the longer trips. Many of the expedition members are Icelandic, which to me is a big perk. You won’t find many amenities on the ship, so look elsewhere if a pool and expansive spa are what you’re looking for. Of course, our web site is all about Iceland, so we’re biased.
Upon leaving Dynjandi Falls, we took the other branch of the tunnel to reach Suðureyri. Suðureyri is a remote fishing village with a population of only about 300 people, and it was the hometown of our guide. During the tour, his cat even found him and wandered amongst everyone looking for some scratches. We toured the small village, including the fishing docks where we learned how fish was processed and sold.
So, we turned around and started the 1.5+ hour drive back to the ship. We even made one quick sightseeing pitstop for a breath of fresh air on the way back. While there were plenty of empty tables, we were sat right next to two already occupied tables of two. Unlike our previous trips, there was no social distancing in the restaurants. Subsequently, the Captain later announced that the local authorities were not going to let us ashore today but that the rest of the cruise should go according to plan. Viking Sky was calling in Seydisfjordur today, a remote small fishing village of around 700 people.
And finally, Viking provides included 24/7 room service with a very extensive menu. Uncover the cultural riches of Norway’s capital, including native son, painter Edvard Munch. Explore the UNESCO-listed old town, including the Great Guild House and Town Hall Square. Explore Stockholm’s archipelago from the water or perhaps visit one of the city’s museums. Visit Barcelona’s cultural gems and explore the narrow streets of the Gothic Quarter. Admire Valencia’s historic architecture and explore the underground caves of Sagunto.
Discover Iceland’s stark scenery, with active volcanoes, geysers, glaciers, mountains and waterfalls. Iceland offers the best whale watching in Europe at this time of year, from humpbacks to belugas. The day was too gorgeous to stay inside, so we made our way to the Aquavit Terrace. We had lunch along with a bottle of champagne, as we soaked up the Iceland sun and scenery. We learned that in December of 2020, Seydisfjordur experienced a devastating mudslide that swept down the mountain after record rainfall saturated the mountainsides.
When you book with one of our partners, please be sure to check their site for a full disclosure of all applicable fees as required by the U.S. Discover Iceland’s majestic shores as you explore this northern isle’s coastal towns. Encounter unparalleled natural beauty and witness cascading waterfalls amid pristine fjord landscapes. Discover Viking heritage as you follow in the footsteps of intrepid explorer Leif Eriksson. Or observe the wealth of wildlife, from puffins to the gentle giants of the sea.
Deep ravines, filled with the meltwaters from the Langjökull glacier, are crystal clear, creating a wonderful underwater showcase of fascinating geology to explore. We hope you found our review of Iceland’s Natural Beauties helpful and informative. And we hope you join us in the future as we explore some other Viking cruises. Haukadalur is home to bubbling mud pots, as well as many geysers, a couple of which erupt every few minutes. If you have seen the hydrothermal areas of Yellowstone, then you will find that this landscape is similar. During your visit, you will be able to hike as far as you like in the area and see the many different geothermal features.
Itinerary and shore excursions are subject to change and may vary by departure. Reykjavík is the world's northernmost capital city yet captures the distinctive feel of a fishing village. The Kentucky-sized island is Europe's westernmost nation and one of the wildest places on earth. Vikings landed on this pristine land during the 9th century; their arrival is well chronicled in the medieval Sagas preserved at the Culture House. Isafjördur and Bolungarvik Village – After lunch on board the ship, we joined the included excursion that traveled down the Westfjords peninsula to Bolungarvik Village.
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